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Introduction

EPA in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality performed chemical sampling of New Orleans flood waters for over one hundred priority pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), total metals, pesticides, herbicides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Flood water sampling data for chemicals are being posted from September 3, 2005 on as they become available. The data has been reviewed and validated through a quality assurance process to ensure scientific accuracy.

Floodwater results for September 5, 2005: Results from the chemical analyses of the data collected did not reveal any contaminants that exceeded EPA drinking water standards. Minerals commonly found in sea water along with trace levels of organic acids, phenols, and sulfur chemicals were detected.

Sampled and Found - but not Exceeding EPA limits

Sampled and Found - but EPA Has Not Established
Limits

CAS Number

Name

Measured Level (µg/L)

Description

N/A

Phenols

3.8

A group of industrial organic chemicals of which Phenol is the most common constituent. Methyl phenols (cresols) and Pentachlorophenol also belong to this group of chemicals. Phenol is a manufactured substance. It is a colorless-to-white solid when pure. The commercial product is a liquid. It has sickeningly sweet and tarry odor. Phenol itself is used primarily in the formation of phenolic resins. It is also used in the manufacture of nylon and other synthetic fibers. It is also used in slimicides (chemicals that kill bacteria and fungi in slimes), as a disinfectant, as an antiseptic, and in medicinal preparations, such as mouthwash and sore throat lozenges.